Working together

Working together
In the early days of the American West, life was difficult. People lived on farms away from other families. They went to town once a week or once a month. Then they visited their friends and neighbors. On their farms everyone had lots of work. There were many jobs to do. And there were some big problems. How did one family make a house? How could they build a barn alone? Those were big jobs.
What did families do to build houses? They asked for help. They asked their friends and neighbors, and invited them to a work group for a few days. Women cooked together. They made breakfast, lunch, and dinner when men worked on the buildings. For children it was like a holiday. There were many other children to play with. They enjoyed it very much. Together these people built a house or a barn. At another time the family with the new house would help their neighbors or their friends. They helped each other for the good of everyone.
A work group is really cooperation. To cooperate means “to work together”. A big job can be easy. Many people can work together. Then the job will not be difficult. It will become a small job for many workers. Working together can be happy, too.
Today there isn’t much cooperation. People don’t work together very often. Some people even don’t know their neighbors. How can they ask them for help?
Today, we help others only when there are emergencies or accidents. Then we call the police for help; Then we want to help; Then we talk to our neighbors; Then we become true neighbors and friends.
Why don’t we always cooperate? Why do we wait for emergencies or accidents? Why don’t we work with other people? If you do so, it can be fun, and life can become easier, too.。